Whirligigs on My Grave

Put whirligigs upon my grave
a jack-o'-lantern at Halloween
an American flag on the Fourth of July
a rose bush to bloom in spring.

Plant daffodils and crocus to
poke through a snowy bed.
At Thanksgiving place an arrangement
of ornamental gourds in a dry leaf bed.

At Christmas time bring me a tree
covered in bright shiny tinsel
and pinecones filled with peanut butter
for the birdies holiday dinner.

On New Year's Eve bring sparklers
and wave them in the air.
I want pink flamingos, concrete bunnies
and a broken ladder back chair.

On my headstone wildflowers
should sit in mason jars.
I want the back seat of a '65 Mustang.
I sure did love that car.

An antique wringer washing machine,
the birdbath from my yard
an antique pump or a bicycle
with a basket and two flat tires.

If I am buried near a tree
hang an old tire on which to swing.
If you bring something to remember me
don't bring just anything.

I want on my grave a gazing ball
so all who come may see
and understand that where I am
there they soon will be.

Please no saddles of plastic flowers
coyote ugly and fake.
I'd rather have a fist of roadside daisies
as a warehouse full of silk.

If cemetery regulations have you
momentarily stumped, in order to put
what I want on my grave, you may have to
bury me at the city dump.

I'm going to be with Jesus
but from heaven I will gaze
to see if you've done what I asked of you
and put whirligigs on my grave.